Enhanced nodal gradient finite elements with new numerical integration schemes for 2D and 3D geometrically nonlinear analysis

The consecutive-interpolation procedure (CIP) has been recently proposed as an enhanced technique for traditional finite element method (FEM) with various desirable properties such as continuous nodal gradients and higher accuracy without increasing the total number of degrees of freedom (DOFs). It is common knowledge that linear finite elements, e.g., four-node quadrilateral (Q4) or eight-node hexahedral (HH8) elements, are not highly suitable...